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Biomedical subjects

C B Williams

Publications and source records attributed to C B Williams.

208 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Upper intestinal surveillance in familial adenomatous polyposis.

Our understanding of the natural history of upper gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is still evolving, although we know that the main cause of death after colectomy in FAP is upper GI malignancy, affecting 5% of patients. The aim of duodenal surveillance is to target high risk individuals and identify cancers early. We have screened 200 patients prospectively and have observed that duodenal polyposis progresses slowly, but there are some young people who have severe disease who merit close observation. We pay particular attention to endoscopic technique and histological detail, and use a duodenal staging system. Patients are offered randomisation to studies of chemopreventive agents, and those with advanced disease are considered for surgery. Successful management is inhibited by our deficient knowledge of the natural history of upper gastrointestinal polyposis, and by our inability to identify high risk individuals with histological markers rather than because of any technological deficiencies in endoscopic equipment.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Usefulness of pediatric colonoscopes in adult colonoscopy.

Use of small diameter, extraflexible pediatric colonoscopes has proved to be valuable in adult endoscopy practice, not only for passing strictures and stomas but also where either fixation due to diverticular disease or postoperative adhesions, or unavoidably painful looping made passage of adult colonoscopes impossible. In 70 of 78 (92%) of the cases where the adult colonoscope could not be passed through the sigmoid colon by an expert endoscopist, the pediatric colonoscope passed through, often very easily. Fifteen of these patients were considered to have been saved surgery by successful passage. The "failure" rate for all colonoscopy examinations was only 2%; this low failure rate was attributable to the use of pediatric instruments whenever passage through the sigmoid colon proved to be impossible with standard colonoscopes. In our opinion every unit performing frequent colonoscopies should have a pediatric colonoscope available for selected adult patients as well as for use in children.

Biopsy↗

Patient-administered nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation provides effective sedation and analgesia for colonoscopy.

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of patients undergoing colonoscopy, sedation with an inhaled mixture of nitrous oxide/oxygen was compared with conventional intravenous sedation (pethidine 50 mg, midazolam 2.5 mg). In the patients studied, no significant differences were noted in number of pain episodes, need for additional intravenous sedation, or patient pain scores between the group receiving the nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture (n = 30) and those managed with conventional benzodiazepine/opiate injection (n = 29). Both methods were significantly more effective than placebo (n = 30). Six patients in the benzodiazepine/opiate group had oxygen desaturation, whereas none did in the nitrous oxide/oxygen group. Duration of stay after the procedure was significantly shorter in the gas inhalation group than in those receiving conventional intravenous sedation. Except for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation is a safe and acceptable alternative method of sedation and analgesia during colonoscopy.

Adolescent↗

Prospective study of colitis in infancy and early childhood.

Ten of a total of 106 children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease seen between 1973 and 1983 were aged 3 years or less (9%). These are the subject of this study. Colonoscopy and biopsy revealed ulcerative colitis in two, Crohn's disease in two, cow's milk-induced colitis in two, and colitis of indeterminate type in four. The children were followed up and reassessed 2 years post-treatment. The four children with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were asymptomatic 6 months after treatment with sulfasalazine and/or prednisolone. The two breast-fed infants with allergic colitis who were treated with cow's milk-free diet in baby and mother showed clinical, endoscopic, and histological resolution. One of the remaining four children with indeterminate colitis is well and off all treatment, and two are well with minimal symptoms and taking sulfasalazine. One child continued to have frequent relapses and subsequently had subtotal colectomy performed with clinical improvement. Histopathology showed features suggestive of intestinal Behcet's disease. The present study shows that colonoscopy and mucosal biopsy allow a firm diagnosis to be established in 60% of cases of this selected group of very young children. In our experience colitis in infancy and early childhood appears to be a heterogeneous group of conditions. An initial assessment of indeterminate colitis should be followed with multiple mucosal biopsies to attempt further categorization.

Animals↗

Screening and genetic counselling for relatives of patients with colorectal cancer in a family cancer clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce and monitor a screening programme for first degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer based on their calculated lifetime risk. DESIGN: Lifetime risks were calculated for first degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer and used to offer screening based on estimated risk. SETTING: A family cancer clinic was set up as part of the North East Thames Regional Genetic Service for relatives of patients who had developed colorectal cancer before the age of 45 and members of families in which multiple cancer had occurred. PATIENTS: Self referrals as well as patients referred by general and hospital practitioners. INTERVENTION: Relatives with a lifetime risk of 1 in 10 or greater (high risk group) were offered screening five yearly by colonoscopy, and those whose risk was between 1 in 10 and 1 in 17 were offered yearly screening for faecal occult blood. Women with family histories compatible with Lynch type II cancer family syndrome were offered screening for breast and pelvic tumours. RESULTS: In four years 715 patients were seen. Acceptance of screening was 90% (644 patients). Of 151 patients screened for faecal occult blood, two were found to have polyps. This screening test was unsatisfactory for the high risk group, having a negative predictive value of 78% in 59 patients tested. Regular screening by colonoscopy was offered to 382 high risk patients; 62 patients with polyps and five with colonic cancer were found. One hundred and ten pedigrees were identified with the Lynch type II cancer family syndrome, and four of 35 women screened were found to have breast cancer. Of 14 relatives aged over 65 with a 1 in 2 risk of site specific colonic cancer or Lynch type II cancer family syndrome, seven were found to have polyps, one of whom had carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSIONS: Family history can be used to identify those at risk of colonic cancer and to target appropriate screening. Colonoscopy detected a high number of premalignant colonic polyps, but faecal occult blood testing was unsatisfactory for those at high risk of colorectal cancer.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗